1. Alabama’s defense has been suffocating. If you had to select an area where this unit is or may become a little vulnerable coming off the 38-10 rout of Florida, where would that be? Who on that defense has exceeded your expectations thus far?

IG: Vulnerable? I would be lying if I said I thought there was any weak parts of this defense. The questions entering the season were all about the defensive front. How would Alabama replace first-round draft pick Marcell Dareus? Well, nose guard Josh Chapman has anchored the group and he appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated this week after the win at Florida. The defense is stifling led by star linebackers Courtney Upshaw and Dont’a Hightower, and defensive backs Dre Kirkpatick and Mark Barron. All four came into the season with something to prove, and all four have delivered. The latest knockout performance was Upshaw’s four tackles – three for loss – interception returned for a touchdown, and sack of Florida quarterback John Brantley, which knocked him out of the game. The unsung hereos of the defense are defensive coordinator Kirby Smart and head coach Nick Saban for their game plans.

2. Trent Richardson’s impressive start is drawing comparisons to Mark Ingram’s Heisman-winning campaign in 2009. Where is Richardson better than Ingram, and where does he come up shy?

IG: In my opinion, they are very similar players. They both hit holes hard, they both enjoy pounding into defensive players, they both have breakaway speed and they both are humble. The difference this season is Richardson had an opportunity to be the top dog last week with No. 2 running back Eddie Lacy suffering from a sore foot. Richardson set career highs with 29 carries and 181 yards, including two touchdowns. This week, Alabama inserted a note comparing Richardson with Ingram, which I called a soft opening for a Heisman Trophy campaign. There’s still a lot of football remaining, and voters will be looking for big numbers in games such as these.

3. Vanderbilt’s defense has played well, specifically in regard to its NCAA-leading 14 interceptions. Is this a concern for Nick Saban, and do you think Alabama’s strategy is to keep the ball on the ground with Richardson until forced to throw?

IG: Yes, I believe Alabama will challenge the defense to stop the run. When teams load the box with seven or eight players it provides opportunities for Crimson Tide quarterback AJ McCarron to throw. The passing game could be overlooked. McCarron has had wide distribution of the football in terms of passing. There is no Julio Jones, there are a lot of capable targets. That makes the defensive coordinator’s job even tougher not having one receiver to key on. Even the tight ends are heavily involved in the passing game. We haven’t seen a lot of passes out of the backfield like last year, but those could come if needed.

4. How has Alabama long snapper Carson Tinker, a Murfreesboro, Tenn., native (Riverdale High graduate) who was injured and lost his girlfriend in the April 27 tornado that ravaged Tuscaloosa, adjusted on and off the field since that life-changing day? For Vanderbilt fans driving down, how visible is the town’s devastation today?

IG: There are still many visible signs of the tornado damage. But considering what this place looked like minutes after the chaos there has been a ton of progress in terms of cleanup. Rebuilding has been slow, but this was a monster that killed 50 people in Tuscaloosa. And there were several killer tornadoes across the state that day. Carson Tinker has been a remarkable inspiration, and I’m not just saying that to be nice. He always puts on a smile, and has taken on an attitude that he lives life with a purpose. He passes inspirational Tweets on Twitter, and accommodates those, who want to speak about the terrible tragedy that will remain a part of him forever. I have been to the spot where his house once stood, several times. I have visited the shallow graves where his dogs were buried, and sat next to the marker near the spot Ashley Harrison was found dead. It’s a very emotional place because it’s so real. I cannot imagine how Carson Tinker pulls himself out of bed each morning. It’s a credit to the human spirit, and his strength.

5. Vanderbilt has played Alabama tough on many occasions in the past, but those were not Saban teams. Is there a reason to think the Tide would let its guard down or have an off week following the big win at The Swamp?

IG: Not after last season. Someone remarked to me today as we left practice, “They looked like they were preparing for LSU, not Vanderbilt.” The reason is simple. Alabama had three losses last season because of fourth-quarter melt downs. The 75th Iron Bowl continues to haunt them inside the athletic facility with signs that read 28-27, the final score of Auburn’s come-from-behind-victory at Bryant-Denny Stadium last season. I wrote it before so I’ll say it again, this Alabama team has killer instinct. They don’t let up until the game is over. They pound opponents, step on their throats (not literally) and snuff them out until they walk away with the win. Then they go home and start preparing for the next one. I don’t see any let up in this team. They are on a mission, and have a lot of emotional inspiration carrying them along – the loss of Ashley Harrison, the unexpected death of former Tennessee lineman Aaron Douglas and playing for a community that offers its heart and soul to the Crimson Tide every Saturday. Alabama feels as though it’s time to repay those fans by helping them heal through football. What better way than winning a national championship? There’s no guarantees, but that’s the goal.

About The Author

Jeff Lockridge

I have been on the Vanderbilt beat since 2009, at The Tennessean since 2000 and a sports journalist since 1997. Prior to Vanderbilt, I covered primarily high schools from 2000-09. My reporting history also includes stints covering the Titans, Auburn and minor league baseball. I'm a Nashville native and a graduate of Overton High (1993) and Austin Peay (1997). I live in Fr